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ABIGAIL MANGIN 13
lily pads, holding his breath under the water. Brother George put down his book and walked toward the pond, completely confused. By the time the boy came up for air, gasping, Brother George
stood over him, black habit flowing like a cape.
“Jesus,” the boy yelped, falling back onto the grass. “Please
don’t kill me. Please don’t kill me.”
Brother George put his hands up. “I’m a monk, not a ninja.” The boy folded his hands and raised a skeptical eyebrow. “But
you look like a Jedi. The black hood, the belt, the cloak. And the cigar! I don’t believe you.”
“Let’s not mention the cigar to anyone, please.”
The boy picked a slimy piece of algae out of his hair. “I thought monks were old bald guys.”
“Some are. Most are, actually. The church isn’t exactly en vogue right now so I’m the youngest monk here.” Brother George’s Levi’s jeans peeked out beneath the slit in his habit, and the boy lifted it to find the white T-shirt to match. “See, a ninja or a Jedi wouldn’t wear such boring jeans, now would he? I come in peace.”
“That’s exactly what a ninja would say,” the boy whispered.
Brother George folded his arms. “What were you doing in the pond?”
The boy shrugged, taking off his wet shirt and fanning it in the air. “Mom said I needed holy water because I’m a sinner.”
Brother George chuckled, putting his hand out to help the boy to his feet. But he stomped and pouted. “Hey. Don’t laugh. Mom says I’m going to hell. Like real hell. With dragons and fire and Satan.” Tears welled in his eyes as the boy turned away. He picked up a pebble and tossed it into the water, trying to preoc- cupy his thoughts.
Brother George’s smile quickly faded, and he knelt down. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“No,” the boy said, pouting. His eyes slowly drifted up to Brother George’s.
“Well, as pathetic as it is, my only superpowers are listen- ing and forgiveness.” When Brother George didn’t get a response to his poorly formed joke, he whipped off his belt cincture and cracked it like a whip. “Or we can have a duel, and I’ll go to hell in